Family

Issues

Stage Details

Legislation -
Bill Failed
(Senate)
(10-14) -
March 20, 2008(Key vote)

Title: Mandatory Abortion Counseling for Minors

Vote Result

Yea Votes

Nay Votes

Highlights:

- Defines a "counselor," for the purposes of this Act, as a psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, registered nurse or practical nurse, guidance counselor, or a health care assistant [sec. 1 (132:30) (I)].
- Requires the counselor or health care provider to explain to the minor that she may withdraw her decision to have the abortion any time before the abortion is performed [sec. 1 (132:31) (b)].
- Requires the counselor or health care provider to explain alternative choices available including carrying the pregnancy to full term and placing the child up for adoption [sec. 1 (132:31) (I) (C) (1-2)].
- Requires the counselor or health care provider to provide, upon request, a list of public and private agencies that are available to assist the minor with whichever decision she makes [sec. 1 (132:31) (I) (C) (3)].
- Requires the counselor or health care provider to discuss with the minor the possibility of involving her parents, guardian, or other adult family members in this decision making process [sec. 1 (132:31) (b)].
- Requires the minor and counselor or health care provider to sign a form acknowledging that the minor has received this information [sec. 1 (132:31) (II)].
- Waives the mandatory counseling requirement if a medical emergency exists and the abortion is necessary to preserve the health, safety, or well-being of the minor [sec. 1 (132:31) (V)].